Moments later, they were at the site of the activity. The last portable
power pack had been set up and connected to the closest console in the
power plant.
"Set?" asked Madera of the technician who had overseen the procedure.
"Yes sir, Mr. Madera."
"Let's go, Mark." The big Starman stepped up next to the console with
Madera. Mark felt a bit of stage fright. Anxiety coursed through him as
he suddenly realized that there was so little time left and that the
ability to turn the asteroid aside depended on him. Having an audience
of more than thirty men daunted him.
"It doesn't depend entirely on you, Mark," said Madera, appearing to
read Mark's mind. "Now let's power up."
Mark felt the anxiety drain away. He pressed the power button he had
discovered before, when the Starmen had been escaping from the pirates.
The computer screen surged into life. The men cheered, and Madera
smiled. Joe stretched exultantly and appeared to grow two inches taller.
Zip's brow remained furrowed. He showed little emotion. For him the
time to exult would be when the asteroid had been diverted. This was
only a vital step in the process. There were others ahead.
Mark kept his eyes on the screen but spoke to Mr. Madera. "I have a
theory, Mr. Madera. There must be power enough in this system, and far
more than enough, to turn the asteroid aside.
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